Mike Barrett, a member of the legendary 1968 U.S. Olympic team that won gold in Mexico City has passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was 67.

Barrett was considered undersized even at the time, standing just 6’2”, but he impressed everyone he played against. He played his college ball at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (also the alma mater of Sedale Threatt) but went into the Navy after college.

He was still invited to the tryouts for the U.S. Olympic team in 1968 — a team that included Spencer Haywood and Jo Jo White but was expected to struggle. They didn’t, winning every game and capturing the gold.

After that Barrett played three seasons in the ABA, where he made the All Rookie Team. In 2003 West Virginia Tech retired his jersey.

RIP Mr.Barrett. My prayers go out to your family and friends. (*sidenote* Thanks for the Sedale Threatt shout out Kurt! Looks like you read the threads on your articles unless that’s just a weird coincidence.)